for the 20 0 8 BUILDING ENERG Y Efficiency Standards for residential and nonresidential buildings J oint a ppen d i c es resi d ential a ppen d i c es R E G U L A T I O N S / S tan d ar d s Reference Appendices CALIFORNIA E N E RGY COMMISSION December 2008 CEC-400-2008-004-CMF Revised June 2009 nonresi d ential a ppen d i c es Effective January 1, 2010 Arnold Schwarzenegger Governor Preserving California’s Energy Resources
008 Residential Appendices RA3-1 Residential Appendix RA3 Appendix RA3 – Residential Field Verification and Diagnostic Test Protocols Table of Contents: RA3.1 RA3.2 RA3.3 RA3.4 RA3.5 RA3.6 Procedures for Field Verification and Diagnostic Testing of Air Distribution Systems ........................ 2 Procedures for Determining Refrigerant Charge for Split System Space Cooling Systems Without a Charge Indicator Display ......................................................................................
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-2 RA3.1 Procedures for Field Verification and Diagnostic Testing of Air Distribution Systems RA3.1.1 Purpose and Scope RA3.1 contains procedures for measuring the air leakage in forced air distribution systems as well as procedures for verifying duct location, surface area and R-value. RA3.1 applies to air distribution systems in both new and existing low-rise residential buildings. RA3.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3.1.3 RA3-3 Apparatus RA3.1.3.1 Duct Pressurization The apparatus for fan pressurization duct leakage measurements shall consist of a duct pressurization and flow measurement device meeting the specifications in Section RA3.1.2. RA3.1.3.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-4 shall be made available to the enforcement agency, installing contractor, and HERS rater for use during the installation work and for all applicable inspections. RA3.1.4.1.2 Verifying the Duct System Installation The location of all supply and return registers shall be verified from an inspection of the interior of the dwelling unit.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-5 Table RA3.1-2 Duct Leakage Tests Case User and Application Sealed and tested new duct systems Leakage criteria, % of total fan flow 6% RA3.1.4.3.1 Installer Testing at Rough- in, Air Handling Unit Installed 6% Installer Inspection at Final RA3.1.4.3.2 RA3.1.4.3.2.1 Installer Testing at Rough-in, Air Handling Unit Not Installed 4% Installer Inspection at Final RA3.1.4.3.2 RA3.1.4.3.2.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-6 The duct leakage measurement at rough-in construction stage shall be performed using a fan pressurization device. The duct leakage shall be determined by pressurizing both the supply and return ducts to 25 Pa. The following procedure (either RA3.1.4.3.2.1 or RA3.1.4.3.2.2) shall be used: Ducts with the Air Handling Unit Installed and Connected: RA3.1.4.3.2.1 For total leakage: 1.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-7 2. If the house rough-in duct leakage test was conducted without an air handler installed, inspect the connection points between the air handler and the supply and return plenums to verify that the connection points are properly sealed. 3. Inspect all joints to ensure that no cloth backed rubber adhesive duct tape is used. RA3.1.4.3.4 Duct Leakage to Outside from Fan Pressurization of Ducts The objective of this test is to determine the duct leakage to outside.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-8 For altered existing duct systems that do not pass any of the Total Leakage (RA3.1.4.3.1), Leakage to Outside (RA3.1.4.3.3) or Leakage Improvement (RA3.1.4.3.4) tests, the objective of this test is to show that all accessible leaks are sealed. The following procedure shall be used: 1. At a minimum, complete the procedure in RA3.1.4.3.1 to measure the leakage before commencing duct sealing. 2. Seal all accessible ducts. 3.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-9 RA3.2 Procedures for Determining Refrigerant Charge for Split System Space Cooling Systems Without a Charge Indicator Display RA3.2.1 Purpose and Scope The purpose of this procedure is to determine and verify that residential split system space cooling systems and heat pumps have the required refrigerant charge and that the metering device is working as designed.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3.2.2.1 RA3-10 Minimum Qualifications for this Procedure Persons carrying out this procedure shall be qualified to perform the following: 1. Obtain accurate pressure/temperature readings from refrigeration gauges. 2. Obtain accurate temperature readings from electronic thermometer and temperature sensors. 3. Check calibration of refrigerant gauges using a known reference pressure 4.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-11 B 5/16 inch diameter hole .75B A = Supply Plenum/ Coil Box Dimension parallel to Airflow Title 24 Supply Plenum Temperature Access A B = Supply Supply Plenum /Coil Box .
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-12 1. Fill an insulated cup (foam) with crushed ice. The ice shall completely fill the cup. Add water to fill the cup. 2. Insert two sensors into the center of the ice bath and attach them to the digital thermometer. 3. Let the temperatures stabilize. The temperatures shall be 32°F (plus or minus 1°F). If the temperature is off by more than 1°F make corrections according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Any sensors that are off by more than 2°F shall be replaced.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-13 3. Turn the cooling system on and let it run for 15 minutes to stabilize temperatures and pressures before taking any measurements. While the system is stabilizing, proceed with setting up the temperature sensors. 4. Attach one pipe temperature sensor to the suction line near the suction line service valve and attach one pipe temperature sensor to the liquid line near the liquid line service valve. 5.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-14 Actual Superheat = Tsuction, – Tevaporator, sat. 2. Determine the Target Superheat using Table RA3.2-2 using the return air wet-bulb temperature (Treturn, ) and condenser air dry-bulb temperature (Tcondenser, db). wb 3. If a dash mark is read from Table RA3.2-2, the target superheat is less than 5°F. Note that a valid refrigerant charge verification test cannot be performed under these conditions.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-15 check the measurements as many times as necessary to pass the test. After the final adjustment has been made, allow the system to run 15 minutes before completing the final measurement procedure. 6. For the Installer, if the difference is between minus 3°F and minus 100°F, then the system does not pass the required refrigerant charge criterion, the Installer shall add refrigerant.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-16 c) If the difference is between minus 3°F and minus 100°F, then the measurement procedure shall be repeated making sure that temperatures are measured in a manner that obtains the average temperature in the airflow. d) If the re-measured difference is between plus 3°F and minus 3°F the system passes the adequate airflow criteria.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-17 Table RA3.2-2 Target Superheat (Suction Line Temperature - Evaporator Saturation Temperature) Condenser Air Dry-Bulb Temperature (°F) (T condenser, db) Return Air Wet-Bulb Temperature (°F) (T return, wb) 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 50 8.8 8.6 8.3 7.9 7.5 7.0 6.5 6.0 5.3 - 51 10.1 9.9 9.6 9.3 8.9 8.4 7.9 7.4 6.8 6.1 5.4 - 52 11.5 11.2 11.0 10.6 10.2 9.8 9.3 8.8 8.3 7.6 7.0 6.3 5.5 - 53 12.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-18 Table RA3.2-2 Target Superheat (Suction Line Temperature - Evaporator Saturation Temperature) Condenser Air Dry-Bulb Temperature (°F) (T condenser, db) Return Air Wet-Bulb Temperature (°F) (T return, wb) 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 90 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6.8 8.8 10.9 12.8 14.6 16.5 18.3 20.1 22.0 23.8 25.6 27.5 29.3 31.1 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 91 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6.
08 Residential Appendices RA3-19 Table RA3.2-3 Target Temperature Split (Return Dry-Bulb – Supply Dry-Bulb) Return Air Wet-Bulb (ºF) (T return, wb) Return Air Dry–Bulb (ºF) (T return, db) 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 70 20.9 20.7 20.6 20.4 20.1 19.9 19.5 19.1 18.7 18.2 17.7 17.2 16.5 15.9 15.2 14.4 13.7 12.8 71 21.4 21.3 21.1 20.9 20.7 20.4 20.1 19.7 19.3 18.8 18.3 17.7 17.1 16.4 15.7 15.0 14.2 13.4 12.5 72 21.9 21.8 21.7 21.5 21.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-20 RA3.3 Field Verification and Diagnostic Testing of Forced Air System Fan Flow and Air Handler Fan Watt Draw RA3.3 contains procedures for verifying airflow in split system and packaged air conditioning systems serving low-rise residential buildings. The procedure is also used to verify reduced fan watts achieved through improved air distribution design, including more efficient motors and air distribution systems with less resistance to airflow.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-21 1/4 inch diameter hole or permanent static pressure probe B .75B A .75A Evaporator Coil Air Flow This location can be in any one of the four sides of the coil box/supply plenum. This location shall have a 1/4" (6 mm) diameter hole (HSPP) or a permanently affixed static pressure probe (PSPP). The location shall be labeled "Title 24 – Supply Pressure Measurement Location" in at least 12-point type. RA3.3.1.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-22 The apparatus for measuring the system fan flow shall consist of a duct pressurization and flow measurement device (subsequently referred to as a fan flowmeter) meeting the specifications in RA3.3.1, a static pressure transducer meeting the specifications in Section RA3.3.1, The measuring device shall be attached at the air handler blower compartment door, or alternatively at the inlet to a return from the conditioned space.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-23 Diagnostic fan flows shall be converted to Fan Cfm/ton by dividing the measured fan flow (Qah) by the nominal tons of the air conditioner. The measured airflow shall be expressed in cubic feet per minute of standard air (standard air has a density of 0.075 lb/ft3).
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-24 The fan flow measurement shall be performed using the following procedures; all registers shall be fully open, and the air filter shall be installed. Turn on the system fan at the cooling speed and measure the fan flow at the return grille(s) with a calibrated flow capture hood to determine the total system return fan flow. The system fan flow (Qah, cfm) shall be the sum of the measured return flows. RA3.3.3.2 - RESERVED RA3.3.3.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-25 RA3.4 Procedures for Verifying the Presence of a Charge Indicator Display or High Energy Efficiency Ratio Equipment RA3.4.1 Purpose and Scope The purpose of these procedures is to verify that residential space cooling systems and heat pumps have the required components to achieve the energy efficiency claimed in the compliance documents.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3.4.4 RA3-26 Matched Equipment Procedure When installation of specific matched equipment is necessary to achieve a high EER, installation of the specific equipment shall be verified. The procedure shall consist of visual verification of installation of the following equipment and confirmation that the installed equipment matches the equipment required to achieve the high EER rating: 1) The specified labeled make and model number of the outdoor unit.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-27 RA3.5 High Quality Insulation Installation Procedures RA3.5.1 Purpose and Scope RA3.5 is a procedure for verifying the quality of insulation installation in low-rise residential buildings. A compliance credit is offered when this procedure is followed by the insulation installer and a qualified HERS rater.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-28 cover (usually a piece of plywood) is installed at the 10 ft. level above the entry closet. Hard covers become part of the ceiling air barrier and shall be air-tight.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-29 • The batt shall be friction fitted into the cavity unless another support method is used. • Batt insulation shall be installed to fill the cavity and be in contact with the sheathing on the back and the wallboard on the front - no gaps or voids. • Batts with flanges that are inset stapled to the side of the stud must be flush with the face of the cavity (or protrude beyond) except for the portion that is less than two inches from the edge of the stud.
2008 Residential Appendices • RA3-30 Walls of interior closets for HVAC and/or water heating equipment, which require combustion air venting, shall be insulated to the same R-value as the exterior walls. RA3.5.4.3.6 Loose Fill Wall Insulation • Wall stud cavities shall be caulked or foamed to provide a substantially air-tight envelope to the outdoors, attic, garage and crawl space.
2008 Residential Appendices • Facings and insulation shall be kept away from combustion appliance flues in accordance with flue manufacturers' installation instructions or labels on the flue. RA3.5.5.1.2.2 HVAC Platform • Appropriate batt insulation shall be placed below any plywood platform or cat-walks for HVAC equipment installation and access. • Batts shall be installed so that they will be in contact with the air barrier. RA3.5.5.1.2.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-32 manufacturer’s minimum initial insulation thickness. If the HERS rater does not verify the insulation thickness at the time of installation, and if the insulation has been in place less than seven days, the insulation thickness shall be greater than the manufacturer’s minimum required thickness at the time of installation less 1/2 inch to account for settling.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-33 weight-per-square-foot (or the minimum weight per cubic foot) consistent with the manufacturer's labeled installed-design-density for the desired R-Value, and the number of inches required to achieve the desired R-Value. The insulation installer shall also complete the applicable sections of the Installation Certificate form and attach a bag label or a manufacturer's coverage chart for every insulation material used. RA3.5.
2008 Residential Appendices RA3-34 RA3.6 Field Verification and Diagnostic Testing of Photovoltaic Systems RA3.6.